Quick Summary
Table of Contents
Looking for an answer to how many IIM in India? IIM started with just two institutes in 1961; today, their number has grown to 21. This increase shows the growing demand among students for quality business education in the country. From Raghuram Rajan to Indira Nooyi, they have produced the best leaders in India.
IIM provide undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, executive, and business administration courses. These premier B-schools offer world-class teaching and research facilities to their students. Spread across the major cities, IIM has shaped India’s education history.
Planning to get your postgraduate or executive degree from IIM? IIM are the most coveted college for management aspirants in India. To secure admission, students must pass the CAT entrance exam, which is competitive due to limited seats. This blog will help you explore how many IIMs are in India, their locations, their unique features, and what sets them apart.
IIM stands for Indian Institutes of Management. These autonomous institutions have a legacy of providing the best curriculum and growth environment in management studies. IIM is known for its global exposure and alumni success stories.
The history of the establishment of IIM dates back to the needs of a developing country like India after independence. The country’s economy was recovering from political upheavals, requiring managerial leaders to become growth drivers. To address the need for quality business education, the Indian government partnered with UNESCO and the Ford Foundation. They took inspiration from the prestigious management schools of the US and Europe.
In 1961, their combined efforts helped establish the first IIM in Calcutta. IIMC partnered with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, to craft a course curriculum on par with global education. Soon, another IIM was established in Ahmedabad in the same year, following the IIMC template.
India is home to 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), which are among the most prestigious business schools in the country. The journey of IIMs began in 1961 with the establishment of IIM Calcutta and IIM Ahmedabad, and over the years, more were added to meet the growing demand for quality management education.
The IIM are classified based on their year of establishment. The oldest IIM are known as first-generation, while the newest are third-generation IIM. These are:
The table below gives a list of IIM in India with their year of establishment, location, and NIRF Ranking 2025:
| IIM Name | Year Estbd. | State/Location | NIRF MBA Ranking 2024 |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 1961 | Gujarat | 1 |
| IIM, Bangalore | 1973 | Karnataka | 2 |
| IIM, Calcutta | 1961 | West Bengal | 5 |
| IIM, Lucknow | 1984 | Uttar Pradesh (UP) | 7 |
| IIM, Indore | 1996 | Madhya Pradesh (MP) | 8 |
| IIM, Kozhikode | 1997 | Kerala | 3 |
| IIM, Shillong | 2008 | Meghalaya | 24 |
| IIM, Rohtak | 2010 | Haryana | 12 |
| IIM, Raipur | 2010 | Chattisgarh | 14 |
| IIM, Ranchi | 2010 | Jharkhand | 17 |
| IIM, Tiruchirappalli | 2011 | Trichy, Tamil Nadu (TN) | 27 |
| IIM, Kashipur | 2011 | Uttarakhand | 19 |
| IIM, Udaipur | 2011 | Rajasthan | 22 |
| IIM Amritsar | 2015 | Punjab | 47 |
| IIM, Bodh Gaya | 2015 | Bihar | 33 |
| IIM, Nagpur | 2015 | Maharashtra | 31 |
| IIM, Sambalpur | 2015 | Odisha | 50 |
| IIM, Sirmaur | 2015 | Himachal Pradesh (HP) | 57 |
| IIM, Visakhapatnam | 2015 | Andhra Pradesh | 26 |
| IIM, Jammu | 2016 | Jammu and Kashmir | 42 |
| IIM, Mumbai (NITIE, Mumbai) | 1963Name changed: 2023 | Maharashtra | 6 |
Some top-ranking IIM are IIM Calcutta, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Lucknow, and IIM Indore. The table below lists the top 10 IIM in India with their features:
| Name of Institute | Unique Features |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Oldest IIM; Top B-school ranked globally; vast alumni network |
| IIM Bangalore | Partners with international institutes and offers the best Student Exchange Programs |
| IIM Kozhikode | Known for its Management Development Programmes (MDP) and Faculty Development Programme (FDP) |
| IIM Calcutta | Oldest IIM offers the best finance programs, a vast alumnus network and a comprehensive curriculum |
| IIM Lucknow | First to set up the satellite campus for executive education in Noida; PGP in Sustainable Management and Working Managers’ Programme (WMP) |
| IIM Indore | 900-acre campus; five-year Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) |
| IIM Rohtak | Among the top 5 IIM for research with cutting-edge facilities, 200 acres of campus |
| IIM Raipur | Top ranking young IIM; Under the Government Engineering College Campus, Raipur |
| IIM Ranchi | satellite campus in National Institute for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Hyderabad; offers MBA in Business Analytics |
| IIM Kashipur | Among the top 5 IIM for research with cutting-edge facilities, 200 acres campus |
Admission to IIMs for the MBA/PGP program is based on the CAT score (GMAT for foreign candidates), followed by WAT, GD, and PI rounds. Shortlisted candidates must clear these stages to secure admission.
Around 2.93 lakh students appeared for IIM’s initial screening test (CAT) against their limited seats 5,500. This makes the selection process and criteria competitive for students to crack. Let us discuss IIM admission process in detail:
One of the IIM organises the CAT on a rotation basis every year. This screening exam tests the proficiency of the aspirants in language, mathematics, and reasoning. The CAT cut-off determines the eligibility of aspirants who can apply for the next rounds of the admission process.
After clearing the CAT cut-off, the shortlisted students appear for a Written Ability Test (WAT). They also appear for Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI) which test their communication abilities. The final list of the selected students is based on their combined scores of CAT, GD-PI, and WAT. It also includes a small weightage of school and graduation academic records and work experience. The table below gives the approximate weightage allotted by various IIM in India:
| Criteria | Weightage |
| CAT Score | 25-40% |
| Group Discussion(GD) and Personal Interview (PI) | 20-30% |
| Written Ability Test (WAT) | 5-10% |
| 10th and 12th Academic Records | 5-10% |
| Graduation Academic Records | 10-15% |
| Work Experience | 10-20% |
IIM follow government guidelines for reservations to the given categories:
IIM is counted among the top B-schools worldwide for their academic excellence. Their courses are designed for fresh graduates and working professionals. Today, many IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad, Trichy, Kozhikode, etc., offer online courses in executive programs that help employees upskill. IIM offer:
IIM is known for its infrastructure, which includes smart classrooms and libraries with unlimited digital resources. Students live in comfortable hostels with sports facilities. The incubation cells mentor young entrepreneurs and provide funds to support them.
IIM mark a historical event in shaping education in management and the business sector in India. They offer world-class faculty and courses with the best infrastructure to help students emerge as confident leaders. Presently, there are 21 IIM spread across the country’s major cities. Due to their competitive curriculum, they rank as the best B-schools globally.
With limited seats, getting into an IIM involves passing an elaborate screening process. Aspirants must score high percentile scores in the CAT exam, WAT, and GD-PI. The right IIM can open doors to exceptional career opportunities for management students. In addition to knowing how many IIM in India, understand their unique features that suit you best. Consider your goals, preferred location, and program specialisations when choosing an IIM. Visit their websites, talk to alumni, and attend their orientation sessions. Start your MBA journey with IIM today!
IIMs are spread across 21 major cities in India. These 21 IIMs offer management education to 5,500 students each year. IIMs are classified into three categories–first, second, and third generation—depending on their year of establishment. They offer diverse programs and specialisations catering to the demands of students and industry.
IIM is the full form of Indian Institutes of Management. These esteemed B-schools are known for business education, research, and consultancy. IIM is established nationwide in cities like Calcutta, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Indore. It ranks best among global institutions in terms of management education.
IIM Lucknow is a beautiful campus that provides a holistic learning ecosystem for students. Its course curriculum, interactive assignments, and international partnerships set it apart from other IIM. IIML is the first IIM in India to establish a satellite-based campus in Noida. It has one of the best alumni networks and infrastructure in the country.
IIM Indore was established in 1996. It is located on a beautiful hillock in Indore, spread across 190 acres. This IIM offers 8 management programmes and is known for its 5-year IPM program, launched in 2011 and brought global recognition to IIM Indore.
IIM have devised an elaborate admission process to shortlist the best students in India. Aspirants appear for the CAT exam; the screening is based on the CAT percentile score. The next admission round includes a written ability test (WAT), GD, PI, academic records of school and graduation, and work experience.
IIM Ahmedabad is considered the No. 1 IIM in India, known for its world-class faculty, rigorous curriculum, and excellent placements. It consistently ranks at the top in national and international business school rankings.
IIMs and IITs serve different purposes—IITs excel in engineering and technology, while IIMs specialize in management and business education. If you want a career in management, an IIM is better; for engineering and technical fields, an IIT is the top choice.
In the 2024 placements, IIM Ahmedabad offered the highest salary package, reaching ₹1.46 crore per annum. This was the top offer among all IIMs during the recruitment season.
Authored by, Amay Mathur | Senior Editor
Amay Mathur is a business news reporter at Chegg.com. He previously worked for PCMag, Business Insider, The Messenger, and ZDNET as a reporter and copyeditor. His areas of coverage encompass tech, business, strategy, finance, and even space. He is a Columbia University graduate.
Editor's Recommendations
Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
